So I've gotten my new Speed in the air about 4 times now. Probably underneath it for a solid 6 hours by now. But, I still am a miserable failure at packing and unpacking it! I've flown cheap fixed bridals for almost 2 years, and the bridals are super simple, easy to get untangled. The Speeds depower bridals with pullies and such aren't so simple. Brian taught me to pack the kite away, tucking the bridals in the kite folded in half, avoiding the bar from getting caught in them. The time with Brian behind me guiding me through the process, the kite came out pretty flawlessly when I unpacked it. Then I packed it up on my own. The next time I unpacked it the bridals were crossed and I had to feed the bar and lines through to get them straighted out. (Under the guidance of another Flysurfer flyer.) Then I packed it up on my own, and the unpacking next time was the same. Crossed bridals, fed the bar, problem solved. Then I take it out again, and I see some unexplainable crosses and tangles. I was baffled, angry and after an hour I gave up. (I took a friend out with me...I needed a kite monkey...and she was bored of holding the kite while I spent worthless time attempting to get the bridals stright, and in the end, I just made it worse.

So, currently, the kites packed away in a mess I don't want to mess with. I'm going to spend my Sunday on the beach getting it undone, while everyone else buggies by.

Basically, PLEASE supply all tips for keeping bridals MANAGEABLE!. I understand I just need to keep practicing, but I'm still pretty fed up with it.

ive never had a flysurfer but i have had a couple of foils and the best way the pack is dont ever twist the bar. you wind up the lines in the figiure 8 pattern and then lay the bridle separately on top of each other and then fold, i now the problems you've been through, remember just take your time dont get all hasty and in a rush. happy kiting.

this is what I do when I packed the kite

I wrap the lines using the 8 pattern around the bar up to the ELC knots.

Then I tie the bar with a little nylon strap so the lines don't loosen up.

And finally I wrap the rest of the lines including the pulleys up to the fine bridles around the bar by just looping them all together around one extremity. And I make a final cross-loop to make sure it doesn't untie.

With the kite I only pack the remaining of the finest bridles.

I'll try to post a pic later

here's our procedure.

- grab both steering leaders and gather them to the center of the bar.

- grab the DepowerLine along with the leaders and begin to figure 8 the lines all the way past the MIXER to the HardSoft flags.

- tie off the lines using a half hitch around the bar, or use a strap or a big rubber band, whatever will Keep them bound.

- set the bar beyond the wingtip as you fold the kite in half - wingtip to wingtip - bridles inside.

- gather all bridles inside so none are sticking out.

- fold over the wingtips afew feet

- place the bar on the now folded over wingtip.

- roll up kite.


when unpacking do this:

unroll the kite to the bar.

- HOOK IN the safetyleash to the FDS and HOOK IN the chicken loop to harness . now the bar can't get loose and get passed through something.

- unwind the lines

- etc... fly the kite.

Knowing me, I probably mess up the half hitch. I'll try with a strap see if that helps.

John, that was very helpful thanks!

dont worry Barnes, it will come! I use a Livestrong rubber band bracelet to hold the lines snug. Another thing I do is pull the 5th line taught if you have one. I wrap up to the pulleys then wrap the band around the lines. Place the bar at the center of the kite, tuck in all bridles then fold the kite in half. Start rolling about half way then lay the bar in the kite and finish packing. If you have a tangle when unpacking, give the lines a good shaking and more often than not the tangles free themselves. On no wind days I used to practice unpacking and packing. Thru repetition its become quite routine!